U.S. Navy Seal Vet Denied FDNY...Due to Age Discrimination...

Shaun Donovan

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There are many who've argued that the FDNY, or the City of New York should've given Navy Seals Special Operations Chief Shaun Donovan an exception around the age rule, which bars civilians over the age of 29 and Military Veterans over the age of 35 from taking the FDNY's Entrance Exam. (https://nypost.com/…/decorated-navy-seal-rejected-by-the-f…/)

I DO NOT.

In 2011, Congressional Medal of Honor winner, Dakota Meyer of the U.S. Marine Corps, declined an extension for his application, if others weren't afforded the same opportunity. (https://abcnews.go.com/…/medal-of-honor-winner-declines-fd…/)

In Shaun Donovan's case, he was born on September 11th, 1981 and was inspired to join the U.S. war against terrorism after the 9/11 attacks. He enlisted after graduating from college in 2005, and has since served four combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, earning medals for valor.

He filed for and was allowed to take the October 5th, 2018 written Exam, but it turns out he missed the filing deadline by just under 7 months.

That age restriction should NOT exist.

The FDNY & NYPD age restrictions are antiquated policies that go back to a time when women and males under 5'6" weren't allowed to take the FDNY Exam.

ALL such restrictions violate the intent, if not the letter, of our existing non discrimination laws.

Age is no more a barrier than sexual orientation, or gender. People are individuals and as individuals, some age well and remain fit throughout most of their lives and some become unfit at an early age.

These age limits are arbitrary, capricious and discriminatory. They shouldn't exist, despite the fact that on November 10th, 1986, the 99th Congress gave Police and Fire Departments an exception to the age discrimination bill.

Neither Dakota Meyer, nor Shaun Donovan, nor anyone else over these arbitrary age limits should need an extension - just leave basic cognitive (written) and physical standards in place, provide outreach/recruitment and remedial training for all who'd want it, in order to help applicants meet those standards, male, female, every ethnicity, any age...let the best qualified candidates score the highest and have the city hire by rank order.

If a 45 year old is able to outperform most 25 year old's and is willing to take a position with a mandatory retirement age of 65 (which should also be challenged, as people are living longer, healthier lives), that should be left up to that individual, whether, or not to take that position.

There's no reason to turn down high quality applicants due to age.

Just as basic standards are vital and, in of themselves, discriminate against NO ONE, these exams should be open competitive - open to ALL regardless of age, gender, race, religion, etc.
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